Assembly machine and method



Jan. 10, 1956 V M. H. NIELSEN 2,729,833

ASSEMBLY MACHINE AND METHOD Filed NOV. 4, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

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ASSEMBLY MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Nov. 4, 1950 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

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Jan. 10, 1956 M. H. NIELSEN 2,729,833

ASSEMBLY MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Nov. 4, 1950 1:5 Sheets-Sheet 13 Q INVENTOR.

the ma elements an me United States Patent 2,729,833 ASSEMBLY MACHINE AND METHOD Moritz H. Nielsen, Chicago, Ill assignor to :Illinois Tool Works, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application November 4, 1950; S i'iaiNt'); 194,118 17 Claims. (Cl. 10- 72) This invention is concernedwith a method and-machine for manufacturing assembled nut element and washer units.

The present invention resides in a method and machine wherein individual nut elements from a random mass of nut elements are assembled with individual washers from a random mass of washers. The not elements in the random mass may be threaded or unthreajded and, in the illustrative example shown and described herein, the nut elements in the random 'mass are unthreaded. In one modification of the invention, the unthreaded hut elements are assembled with washers and then are discharged from the machine following which they may be threaded in other apparatus, and in another modi fication the unthreaded nut elements are threaded im= mediat'ely prior to assembly with the washers.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and machine for assembling hut elements and washers. Q

A further object of this invention is the provision of a method and machine for assembling nut elements and continuous ring metallic lock washers.

A more specific object 'of this invention is the L'prm vision of a machine and iuethod for inserting the skirt of a lock washer into a nut element permanently to secure said out element and lock washer together as a unit.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for assembling toothed. lock washers with discrete nut elements.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a machine and method for assembling nut elements and washers from random masses of nut elements and random masses of washers.

It is another object of this invention to provide ap paratus for feeding a succession or washers along a ;'pre= determined path, for dropping nuteleme'nts into engagement with said washers, and thereafter forcing-said iitit elements and washers into telescopically assembled relation.

A still further objectof this invention resides in the provision in apparatus foiassembling nut elements and washers, of a disc for feeding individual washers and for receiving nut eleirients'in alignment with-said'washers.

A further object of this invention resides '-irl"=the .prtv vision in 'a machine for assembling 'tiut "elements and washers, of apparatus for sensing "the orientation of nut elements and rejecting those which are improperly oriented. 1

A more specifi'c'object resides in the provision of apparatus as set forth in the fo'regoing object wheiein'means is provided for orienting improperly oriented 'riilt ele merits. v I

Yet another object of the currentinveii'tion resides in the provision era-method and apparatus for selecting nnthreaded nut elements "on: a random mass, tapping telescopically assembling the nut elements was washers.

2,729,833 Patented Jan. 10, 1956 Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings ,wherein:

Fig. l is a side view of a machine embodying the prim ciples of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the machine.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partially in section of the nut hopper and nut selecting mechanism. V Fig. 4 is 'a top view of the mechanism of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a further enlarged fragmentary view of the nut selecting mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line -8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. -9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 showing a modification of the selecting mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-40 of Fig. 7.

Figs. 11 13 are similar to Fig. 10, showing the parts in different positions.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a cam member comprising a part of the nut selecting mechanism;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged plan view of the washer hopper and assembly mechanism.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 16-16of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged plan view partially in section of a positive nut feeding mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a scctional yiew taken substantially along the line 18-18 of Fig. '17.

Fig. '19 is a view similar to Fig. '18 showing the parts in a 'difier'e'nt position.

Fig. 20 is a top view ip'artally in section of the intermittetft moi-ion mechanism driving the assembly disc.

Fig. fl is a sectional view taken along the line 21-41 of Fig. '15-.

Fig. 22 an enlarged sectional view of a nut element and washer inmiediately following assembly.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary pla n view showing a modified form or nut selector.

Fig. '24 is a view of a portion 'of the hut selector shown in Fig. 23 with certain parts removed for clarity "of illustration.

Fig. 2 5 is a sectional view taken alongthe line 25- 25 of 24.

'Fig. 26 is a'se'ctional view taken along the line 26-26 of Fig. r

Fig. 27 is a Sectional view showing the telescoping mechanism of a'modified form-of theapp'aratus. v

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 27.

Fig. '29 is an enlarged "sectional view of a portion of the "telescoping mechanism of Fig. 27.

Fig. 30 is a sectional view showing a'nut 'element and washer being secured in telescoping relation.

Fig. 31 i'sa sideview 'similar toFig. 1 showing a moditied form er 'the apparatus wherein nnthreade'd nut elements are tapped rprior to assembly with washers.

Fig. 321s an enlarged sectional view of the tapping mechanism of the machine sliown in *Fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a view taken along "the line 3333 of Fig. 32.

Fig.34is a sectional-view taken along "the line 34-3 1 of -Fig. 32.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view showing 'a modified teleseapingappamms.

Fig. 36 is asctioniil view taken *along'the line '36-3"6 of Fig. 35.

Fig'. 37 is aside viewof aportion of the apparatus of Fig.-35.

Fig. 38 is a sectional view of a gravity nut feeding apparatus.

Fig. 39 is a view similar to 38 showing the parts in a difierent position.

Fig. 40 is a sectional view of a threaded nut element and washer immediately following assembly.

Fig. 41 is a bottom view of the nut element and washer of Fig. 40; and

Fig. 42 is a perspective view showing the drive connections of the assembly machine shown in Figs. 31-34.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings for a general overall picture of apparatus embodying the princi ples of my invention, an assembly machine may be seen to include a base or pedestal 44 having upper and lower tables or supporting surfaces 46 and 48 respectively. An inclined nut feeding hopper 50 is supported by means of a base member 52 secured atop the upper table 46 by any convenient means, such as screws or bolts. A nut feeding chute 54 leads from the nut hopper 50 to a nut selector 56 supported by a bracket 58 onthe upper table 46. The nut selector passes properly oriented nuts down a second nut feeding chute 60 and drops improperly oriented nuts through. a discharge chute 62 into a removable container 64.

A washer hopper 66 is carried by a base 68 mounted atop the lower table 48 and feeds washers to an assembly mechanism 70 where they are assembled with nut elements from the second nut feeding chute 60. The as sembled units of nut elements and washers are then dropped through a chute 72 into a container 74. Provision is made for feeding any excess washers from the hopper 66 through a discharge chute 76 to a receptacle 78 to prevent jamming of washers in the assembly mechamsm.

The nut hopper As shown in detail in Figs. 3-6, the nut hopper 50 includes a rotatable base plate 80 suitably secured to a hollow drive shaft 82 extending from a gear box 84 carried by the base member 52. The base plate 80 carries an annular spacer 86 atop its outer surface and the annular spacer, in turn, carries a collector ring 88. A hood 90 is fitted over the outer edge of the collector ring 88 andhas a relatively large central opening 92. The top surface of the collector ring 88 is provided with a plurality of spaced radial grooves or slots 94, each of which is slightly wider than the diagonal of the nut elements to be handled.

Stationary shaft 96 extends co-axially with the hollow drive shaft 82 from the gear box 84 and slightly therebeyond, there being an anti-friction bushing 98 fitted between the two shafts. The dished out disc or plate 100 is non-rotatably fixed on the extending end of the stationary shaft 96 and fits within the central aperture of the collector ring 88. The upper edge of the periphery of the disc 100 substantially coincides at its lowest portion with the upper surface of the collector ring 88 as shown at 102 and is progressively relieved so as to lie slightly below the bottoms of the grooves 94 at its upper edge as shown at 104.

A motor 106 (Fig. 1) is carried by the base member 52 and acts through suitable gears in the gear box 84 to rotate the collector ring 88 and hood 90 through the intermediary of the hollow drive shaft 82, base plate 80, and annular spacer 86. .As the collector ring and hood rotate, nut elements 108 from a random mass 110 on the collector ring 88 and within the hood 90 collect in the lower radial grooves or slots 94 as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. There is no tendency for the nut elements to leave the grooves 94 until the elements have been carried past the horizontal diameter of the collector ring 88. To prevent the nut elements from leaving the slots above this diameter, there is provided a bafile 112. The baffie 112 is substantially coincident with the inner edge of the collector ring 88 and is mounted on thedisc or plate 100 by means such as screws or other fastene 4 passed through a lateral ear 114 integral with the battle 112. -Also mounted on the plate 100 is a bracket 115 supporting the nut feeding chute 54.

The nut feeding chute 54 comprises a pair of spaced rails 116 secured atop an elongated plate 118 or, if desired, the plate and rails may be formed integrally. The top surface of the plate 118 is contiguous with and lies just slightly below the bottoms of the grooves 94 as the grooves reach their uppermost position so that nut elements 108 slide from the grooves 94 in the uppermost position into the chute 54. The uppermost ends of the rails 116 are beveled as at 120 to facilitate reception of nut elements, and the collector ring is rotated at a sufficiently low rate of speed that several nut elements may pass from each groove into the chute. The trailing rail 116 (the upper one in Fig. 4) may have its upper end relieved if desired positively to preclude any chance of nuts jamming against this end of the rail. In order to prevent nut elements which may be standing on edge or in any position other than flat on one face from passing into the chute 54, the baffle 112 is provided with an integral finger 122 extending past the receiving end of the chute 54 as best may be seen in Fig. 5. The

' chute 54 preferably is provided with a thin top plate 124 overlying the rails 116 positively to maintain nut elements 108 in proper position in the chute 54.

The nut selector The nut elements 108, as fed through the chute 54, are of the counter-sunk type having a depending peripheral flange and may be either right side up, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 or may be upside down, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The nut elements are fed by the chute 54 to the nut selector 56 where nuts which are right side up are passed on to the assembly mechanism and nuts which are upside down are dropped through the discharge chute 62 into the receptacle 64 from whence they may be transferred back to the nut hopper 50.

The nut selector, as shown generally in Figs. 1, Z and 4 and in detail in Figs. 7-14, comprises a base or plate 126 carried on an upstanding portion of the bracket 33. A pair of star wheels 128 and 130 is mounted above the plate 126. The star wheels are provided with serrated peripheries and have integral upstanding hubs 132 and 134 which are keyed to shafts 136 and 138 respectively. The shafts 136 and 138 are journaled in sleeve bearings 140 and 142 extending through the plate 126 and through bosses 144 and 146 which may be integral with the plate 126 or may be separate sleeves secured to the plate in any desirable manner. The shaft 138 is provided at its lower end with a head 148 and a portion 150 of larger diameter than the remainder of the shaft. A pinion 152 is keyed to the'enlarged portion 150 and is held tight against a washer 153 by a nut 154 threaded on the upper end of the shaft 138. The shaft 136 is provided with a portion 156 of enlarged diameter and a flange 158 similar to the enlarged portion and head of the shaft 138. A pinion 160 is keyed to the enlarged portion of the shaft 13 and is in driving engagement with the pinion 152. The pinion 160 is held against a washer 162 by means of. nut 164 threaded on the upper end of the shaft 136. The shaft 136 has a lower depending portion 166 to which a pulley wheel 168 is suitably secured. The pulley 168 is driven. by a flexible belt 170 extending between it and the driving pulley of a motor 172 (Fig. 1) supported by a bracket 174 suitably secured to the upper table 46.

The lower end of the nut feeding chute 54 is arcuately beveled as at 176 and at 178, and fits within a slotted portion of the plate 126. The arcuate end 176 of the chute 54 is spaced very slightly from the star wheel 1.23 and the arcuate end 178 of the chute 54 is spaced somewhat from the periphery of the star wheel 130. The slot or guide track in the nut feeding chute 54 extends tangentially into a circular relieved portion 180 in the top surface of the plate 126, the star wheel 130 being carried.

bottom surface thereof by-a shoulder portion 182. The star wheel 128 fitsin: a semicircular relieved portion 184 in: the top surface of the plate 126, this relieved. portion being in part coextensive. with the relieved portion 180 and forming a continuous arc with. the arcuate end 176 ofjthe nut feeding chute-54; The'second nutfeeding chute 60 is aligned with the chute 54 and fits in a suitable groove in the top of the plate 126. The chute 60 is-of substantially the same construction as: the chute 54. except that it is provided with a central portion of greater inclination than its end portions which are inclined at substantially the same angle as the chute 54. The cover plates or top retaining flanges of both of the chutes 54 and 60 have been omitted in Fig. 7 for clarity of illustration.

The top end of one. of the rails of the chute 60 is, formed'as an are 186 whichis a continuation of thesemicircular relievedportion 184, andthe top end of the other rail is formed: as an arc.188.which,. like the are 178, of thechute 54, forms a continuation of the circular relieved portion 180.

A further relievedv portion or groove 190 isprovided leading substantially radially from the circular relieved portion 180 to the. funnel shaped open upper end- 192 (Figs. 1, 2, and 4) of'the discharge chute62.

A disc or wheel 194 (ligs..7 and 8) is mounted on the shaft 138, above. the star wheel 130 and the bottom of this wheel is counterbored to receive the upstanding hub 134 of the star. wheel 130st! that the bottom face of the disc 194. may be carriedinspaced relation to the top face of the two star wheels. A pin 19.6 fixes the disc 194 to the star wheel 130 for rotation therewith, and the; nut 154. clamps down against the top-face. of the disc. 194. Thedisc 194 is provided. with. a; plurality of. equally spaced cylinders; 198 opening downwardly of; the disc. Pistons or plungers; 200 are carried within the cylinders 198 on shafts 202. which extend upwardly through the: disc where they are secured to shoulderedheads 2.04., Coil, springs 206 normally urge the plungers 200 downwardly, the lowermost position beinglimited byabutment of the heads 204 against the top face of the disc 194.

A cam member- 208. (Figs, 7 and 1.4) is secured. to the. base plate 126 and. partially overlaps; the. disc 194. The cam member 298 comprises av mounting; block 210. through which a pair of screws is passed and threaded intothe plate 126 to. secure. the cam; memberin position. An arcuately extending arm- 212; formed integrally with the; mounting block21t] is providedv with a cam surface 214 rising from the leading edge 2,16 to the trailing edge 218, the leading and trailing e gi beingdetermined relative to the direction of rotation, of the disclQ-t.

A secondcarn member 220, (Figs. 7v and 8) is provided substantially diametrically opposite to the first one. and comprises a mounting block 222; through which ispassed a pair of screws to secure the. cam. member to the, plate 126.. The cam member 220\is.provid ed with; acam surface 224 rising from. itsleadiug edge; 226- to its. trailing edge 228 which is positioned slightly to, the. upstream side of the centerline of the star wheels 128;and.13ii. Both of the cam surfaces 214.-and 224. comprise arcs of a, single circle and have their innermost edges positioned slightly inwardly of the outermost portion of; the heads 264..

As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, and particularly in the. sequence diagrams of Figs. 10 and 1.1, the cam: surface 224- of the cam member; 220 engages beneath the.- shoul: dered portion of each head 204 and lifts it against the. action of the spring 206 toraise: the piston. or, plunger 200. Advance of the. nut elements 108 is timed. by the star wheels 128 and 130 which form, in effect, a succession of nut receiving pockets, as best seen. in Fig, 7. The disc 194 and nut elements 108, thus advance in synchronized relation, and just as one of. the plungers 20. becomes; aligned with a nut-element: 108,. it moves from the trailing edge 22,8 of, the cam surface. 224. and. imr s s;- a t the t p face of: a. nut. element; 10.8 under. the action: of the; spring 20.6 as, in Fig. 1.1. .If

(as. in Figs. It) and 11) the nut-element is right side up, that is. with the countersunk face down, the plunger rides atop. the nut element: as the. diameter of the plunger is somewhat greater than the bore of the nut element. An elongated leaf spring 230 extending. from the arcuately beveled end 178 of the nut feeding chute 54 maintains the nut element 108. in. alignment with the nut feeding chutes 54 and 60- and allows the plunger 200 to slide off thetop of the. nut element.

Should" the nut element be upside down, as shown in Figs. 1' and 13,. the plunger 200 enters the counterbore of the nut element under the. action of the spring 206. The lower periphery of the plunger 200 is beveled to facilitate entry of the plunger into the counterbore of the. nut. element. Each. nut element that is so engaged by a plunger 200' is carried from the straight forward path of the chutes 54 and 60 to pass the leaf spring 230. The leading edge 216 of the cam surface 214 then engages beneath the shouldered portion of the head 204 to lift the plunger from the nut element 108 and the nut element then slides through the groove 190 under the influence of gravity and drops into the open upper end 192 of the discharge chute 62 from whence it passes into the receptacle 64.

Itis. contemplated that the nut selector could be used with other types of longitudinally asymmetrical nut elements such as cone type nut elements and for the latter type the plungers 200 are provided with recesses in their lower faces interfitting with the cone ends of the nut elements. The remainder of the nut selector and the operation thereof remains: as described heretofore.

In a modification of my invention to be described later, it is necessary that nut elements should be delivered with the counterbored faces up, as will be explained subsequently. For this purpose, I have provided the modification of the nut selector shown in Fig. 9. Similar parts of this modification are identified by the same numerals as heretofore with the addition of the subscript a to obviate the necessityof duplicated explanation. In Fig. 9. the disc. and cam members have been omitted for clarity of illustrationas they are identical with those shown and described heretofore. A base plate 126a is provided with. a circular relieved portion a and with a semicircular relieved portion 184a in overlapping relation. A groove accommodates the lower end of a nut feeding chute 54a identical with the chute 54 and a leaf spring 236a extends longitudinally from the inner rail of the chute. A second nut feed chute 60a is provided in a groove in the position of the groove in the modification heretofore shown and described. The upper end of oneof the chutes 60a comprises an are 232 which is a continuance. of the periphery of the relieved portion 180a and the upper end of the other rail is chamfered at 234 to facilitate the entrance of nut elements into the chute 60a. A substantially radial groove 236 is formed in the base plate 126 in substantially the same location occupied by the nut feeding chute 60 in the earlier described, modification. Star wheels 128a and 139a are mounted. on shafts 136a and 138a and rotate in synchronism as set forth hereinbefore. Operation of the modification of Fig. 9 isidentical with that of the earlier modification except that nuts having their counterbored faces-up are delivered to the second nut feeding chute 60a while nuts that have their counterbored faces down pass through the groove 236 to be returned to a discharge receptacle.

The washer hopper Thev washer hopper 66 is shown in detail in Figs. 1-5 and. 16 and is carried by a plate 238 supported by the base. 68. A hollow substantially cup shaped housing 24:); is: provided. with a plurality of radially extending ears or lugs 2'42 abutting. against the plate 238. The lugs; 242 are. provided withutapped bores which receive bolts; 244: passed throughthe plate 238 to secure the housing in position. A hearing plate 246 having a smoothly finished upper surface is secured atop the housing 240 by countersunk screws or bolts 248 threaded into the ears or lugs 242. The bearing plate 246 clamps a shouldered bearing ring 250 against a shoulder in the housing 246. A ring-like plate 252 fits atop the bearing ring 256 and bearing plate 246 and is secured to a central block or plate 254. A cylindrical wall 256 extends upwardly from the periphery of the ring-like plate 252 and is secured to this plate by screws or bolts 258 passing through the wall 256 and threaded into the plate. The bottom edge of the cylindrical wall 256 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 260 complementary in shape to the skirted Washers 262 (one of the washers being shown in profile in Figs. 18 and 19) and are slight- 1y larger than the washers. The apertures cause the hopper to act as a selector as only washers having their flanges up can fit through the apertures as the wall 256 rotates.

The lower wall of the housing 246 is provided with a boss 264 extending downwardly through an aperture 266 in the plate 233 and upwardly a short distance above the bottom wall of the housing. A short shaft 268 is journaled in the boss 264 and has an enlarged head 27th securing a worm wheel 272 down against the top of the boss 263. A retaining collar 274 is pinned to the lower end of the shaft 263 to secure it in position. The worm wheel 272 is provided with an upwardly extending hub 27 6 which is keyed to the shaft 263 to cause the shaft to rotate with the wheel. The head 276 of the shaft 268 is square and is received in a fiat sided slot 278 to cause the center block or plate 254, the ring like plate 252, and the cylindrical wall 256 to rotate. Such rotation (at a relatively low speed to prevent jamming due to centrifuging) causes a mass of washers in the hopper 66 to sift through the apertures 26% and down a plate 280 carried atop the bearing plate 246 and contiguous with the periphery of the ring like plate 252. A transparent plastic guard plate 232 is spaced above the plate 286 by spacers 283 to maintain the washers 262 fiat against the plate 288. The transparency of the guard plate 282 allows any jam to be located instantaneously.

A shaft 284 is journaled in suitable bearings 286 in the side wall of the housing 240 and carries a worm 288 in driving engagement with the worm wheel 272. A retaining member 236 is pinned to one end of the shaft and a plurality of integral pulleys 292 is pinned to the other end of the shaft (the pulleys being indicated in dot'dash lines in Fig. 16 to show the relative position of this and the other driving members). A second multiple pulley 294 is carried by a stub shaft 296 suitably carried by a mounting block 2% supported by the plate 238. A belt 3% extends between the multiple pulleys 292 and 294. A drive motor 382 is supported by a bracket 364 carried by the base 63 and is provided with a multiple pulley 306. A belt 368 extends between the pulleys 306 and 294. The belt 3% is placed over whichever of the pulleys are necessary to drive the hopper at the proper speed.

The assembly mechanism A housing casting 3116 (Figs. l6, l7 and 20) is supported by the plate 233 to which it is secured as by bolts 312 and is provided with an upper peripheral shoulder 314 which underlies the lower portion of the bearing plate 246, this plate being apertured to accommodate the open upper end of the housing casting 311?. An upstanding shaft 336 having a head 318 at its lower end is carried in a boss 326 on the lower portion of the housing casting 316, which boss is accommodated by an aperture 322 in the plate 233. T he shaft 316 is secured in place by a set screw 324 and a worm wheel 326 is journaled on the shaft with an anti-friction bearing 328 between the worm wheel and boss 32-1.. The worm wheel 326 has an integral hub having a pair of upstanding lugs 33th interfitting with slots in the depending hub 332 of a earn 334; The cam has an upstanding integral sleeve 336. A hearing sleeve338' having a peripheral flange 340 at its. lower end and threaded at its upper end fits over the top portion of the sleeve 336 and rests against the top face of the cam 334. A ratchet wheel 342 fits about the bearing sleeve 338 and has a shouldered portion receiving the peripheral flange 340. A washer advancing or driving disc 344 COIHPI'lS- ing a pair of plates 346 and 343 is spaced from the ratchet 342 by a washer or spacer 349 and tits about the bearing sleeve 338. The washer driving disc 344, the spacer 349, and the ratchet wheel 342 are secured together for simultaneous rotation by a pin 350 and these parts all are clamped. together by a retaining ring 352 threaded on to the upper end of the sleeve 338.

The plate 346 of the washer drive disc 344 (Figs. 15 and 16) has a lower portion 354 having a periphery coinciding with the lower edge of the transparent plastic cover plate 282. An upper portion of the plate 346 has a slightly reduced diameter and is provided with a plurality of peripheral slots or notches 356. Apertures 358 extend completely through the plate 346 concentrically with the notches 356 and both the apertures and the notches have substantially the same diameter as the washers 262. The lower plate 348 of the washer driving disc 344 is of the same diameter as the upper portion of the top plate 346 and is provided with notches 360 similar to the notches 356. Washers 262 sliding down the plate 280 fit beneath the plate 346 of the washer driving disc and are received in the notches 360 of the lower plate 348 as the washer driving disc is rotated intermittently. Excess washers sliding across the plate 280 and not received in any of the notches 360 are advanced under the force of gravity and rotation of the disc 344 through a space 362 adjacent one of the spacers supporting the transparent cover plate 282 and fall into the funnel-like open upper end 364 of the discharge chute 76 which returns the excess washers to the receptacle 78. A retaining ring segment 365 (Fig. 16) is provided from the space 362 to the telescoping mechanism to prevent washers from leaving the notches 360 under the action of centrifugal force when the disc is operated at high speeds. The segment may be secured to the plate 280 by any suitable means such as screws.

The washer driving disc 344 is driven intermittently by mechanism shown in Figs. 16 and 20 and including the cam 334 and ratchet wheel 342 mentioned heretofore. A cam follower roller 366 is carried on the end of an arm 368 extending from and fixed to a sleeve 370. The sleeve 370 is mounted on a bearing 372 which is secured in position by a screw 374 extending through a rotatable plug 376 and threaded into the base of the housing casting 310. The screw is eccentric relative to the plug 376 so that the positioning of the plug relative to the cam 334 can be varied.

A second arm 378 fixed on the sleeve 370 is provided with a bearing cup 380 in which the conical end cap 382 of an abutment rod 384 bears. The other end of the rod is received in and guided by an aperture in a bracket 386 suitably secured to the sidewall of the housing casting 310. A coil spring 388 is compressed between the end of the bracket 386 and the end of the arm 378 normally to maintain the roller 366 in contact with the cam 334. This in turn maintains the tooth of pawl 392 normally in engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 342 and serves both to advance the disc 344 and to index the disc as will be apparent hereinafter.

A third arm 390 is fixed to the sleeve 37% and has a pawl 332 pivoted at its outer end as at 394. A second pawl 396 is pivotly mounted at 398 on a bracket 4% extending inwardly from the side wall of the housing casting 316. The pivotal connection 398 may include a collar or sleeve and a bolt or screw eccentrically mounted therein similar to the pivotal connection 374, 376 to provide for adjustment of the pawl 396. A coil spring 402, whichis guided upstanding from the plate 238. An abutment member 490 is welded to or formed integral with the arm 484 near the free end thereof and rides atop the succession of nuts passed therebeneath bythe driving disc 344. A cam 492. engages the top surface of the arm 484 directly above the abutment member 490 and is keyed to a shaft 494 for rotation therewith. The shaft 494 is journaled in suitable bushings 496 fitting in bores in plates 498 and 500. The plate 498 depends from a supporting plate 502 to which it is connected by means of bolts 504 and a tooth and slot connection 506. The support ing plate 502 is secured as by bolts 506 to an upstanding wall 508. The wall 508 also supports the plate 590 by means of screws or bolts 512. The upstanding wall 508 is secured by a plurality of screws 516 fitting through slots 518 therein and threaded into a flange 52f) upstanding from the plate 238.

A bevel gear 522 is pinned to the outer end of shaft 494 and is engaged with a bevel gear 524. The bevel gear 524 is mounted on a sleeve 526 having a circumferential flange 528. A spacer 530 is interposed between the bevel gear and the flange 528 and a plurality of screws 532 pass through the flange and spacer and are threaded into the bevel gear 524 to secure the gear to the sleeve 526. Spacers 530 of varying thicknesses are utilized to maintain the bevel gears 522 and 524 in proper engagement when the nut telescoping mechanism is raised or lowered by means of the screw in slot connection 518 to accommodate nuts of different thicknesses. The sleeve 526 is mounted on the shaft 316 with a suitable sleeve bearing 534 located between the shaft and sleeve and the sleeve 526 is rotated by the upstanding sleeve 3360f the cam 334 by means of a tooth and slot connection 536. The upper end of the shaft 316 is provided with a lubricating bore 538 and the upper end of this bore is tapped to receive an oil filler plug 540 which is screwed down against a washer 542 which, in turn, bears against the upper end of the sleeve bearing 534 to maintain the bevel gear 524 on the shaft 316 and in engagement with the bevel gear 522. Transverse oil holes in the shaft 316 and sleeve 336 communicate with the lubricating bore 538 properly to lubricate the bearing surfaces of the sleeve 336.

The cam 492 is rotated continuously in synchronism with the cam 334, and hence in timed relation with the intermittent motion of the washer driving or advancing disc 334. Each time the disc 334 is stationary, there is a nut element positioned directly below the abutment member 490 and the high spot on the cam forces the arm 484 down to telescope the nut element 108 with the washer 262 A tclescoped nut element 108 and washer 262 are shown in detail in Fig. 22. The washer 262 in the notches 366 in the lower plate 348 of the driving disc 344 rides atop the bearing plate 280. The washer 262 illustrated is of the metallic continuous ring type having radially directed twisted locking teeth and a substantially axially directed skirt flared slightly outwardly. The nut elements 168 are provided with depending skirts or flanges 544 fitting about the flared skirt of the washer 262. Each nut element skirt 544 is provided with a plurality of inwardly directed protuberances 546 which engage the skirt of the washer and maintain the washer and a nut element in telescoped relation. Alternately, the nut element skirt could be provided with a continuous inwardly directed flange, the flare of the washer skirt could be omitted, and the washer skirt could be provided with a plurality of protuberances directed outwardly.

A spring finger 548 extends from the free end of the arm 4% and pushes assembled nut elements and washers downwardly from the disc 344, the bearing plate 280 being relieved for this purpose at 550. The assembled nut elements and washers then fall into the funnel shaped open upper end 552 (Figs. 1 and 2) of the chute 72 through which they pass to the respectacle 74.

In order that more of the nuts which are supplied to the nut selector than those which are right side up may be utilized 1 have provided the modified nut selector shown in Figs. 23-26. In the nut selector 56b shown in these figures, the nut elements that reach the nut selector in inverted position are inverted and supplied to the feeding disc 344 in right side up position. The nut selector comprises a plate 126b having substantially circular relieved portions wherein are mounted star wheels 13Gb and 128b, the star wheels being mounted on shafts 13612 and 13352 as in the modification described previously. As in the previous form, the shafts are mounted in suitable sleeve bearings 14% and 142b fitted in bosses 14412 and 146b depending from the plate 126b. Gears 16Gb and 15% on the lower ends of the shafts are in engagement to rotate the star wheels in synchronism, and the shaft 13611 is provided with a suitable pulley (not shown) to drive the star wheels. The nut feeding chute 54 fits into a slot in the plate 126]) and is suitably curved at its lower end to provide extensions of the substantially circular relieved portions 18% and 184!) in which the star wheels are mounted. The second nut feeding chute 6% continues from the lower edge of the plate or block l26b in line with the first nut feeding chute 54, and nut elements 108 which are right side up continue directly into the chute. A wheel 194b is secured to the shaft 136!) above the star wheel 128b and is provided with a plurality of pistons or plungers 2005 fitting within cylinders 198i) and urged downwardly by springs 28611. A cam member 22% extends over nearly half the periphery of the disc or wheel 19412 and has a cam surface 224]) which, at its leading edge 226b, lifts vthe heads 204b which act through the pins or connecting rods 202i) to lift the plungers 20%. When the heads reach the trailing edge 22811 of the cam surface 224b, the plungers are allowed to drop into contact with the uppermost faces of nut elements 168 supplied by gravity from the feed chute 54. Nut elements which are right side up are deflected from the plungers by a leaf spring 23012 and continued down the chute b, while those which are inverted are engaged by the plungers 2001) as in the previous modification, and are carried past the spring 23% until the heads 2041; are lifted by the cam surface 224b. The nut ele ments 108 then pass through a substantially U-shaped passageway 554 in a member 556 extending downwardly from the plate or block 12Gb. The U-shaped passageway inverts the nut elements supplied to it and passes them into a nut feeding chute 558 similar to the chute 6%. The chutes 60b and 558 extend practically into contact with the periphery of the upper plate 346 of the driving or advancing disc 344. Nut elements in the chute 60b are retained in the chute against the force of gravity by abutting the periphery of the plate 346 until a notch or groove 356 stops in alignment with the open lower end of the chute 69b. This allows one nut element to slide into the aligned notch and to drop into engagement with a washer 262. Nut elements 108 in the chute 553 are maintained therein by abutment against the periphery of the plate 346 and also by abutment against nut elements 108 supplied to the notches 356 by the chute 6011. if insufiicient nut elements are supplied through the chute 69b, notches-will be left vacant and nut elements will slide into these notches under the influence of gravity. Surplus nut elements supplied to the chute tlb pass through a slot or groove 1%b and drop into the open upper end of the discharge chute 62 to be returned to the receptacle 64. Excess nut elements supplied to the U-shaped passageway 554 and feed chute 558 pass out through an aperture 569 in the rear of a member 566 and fall into the open upper end (not shown) of a branch of the discharge "chute 62 to return such nut elements to the receptacle 64.

It is to be understood that in the modification described heretofore, the second nut feeding chute 69 could 13 supply nut elements directly to the notches 356 under the influence of gravity as in the modification of Figs. 23-26 rather than through the intermediary of the positive nut feeding mechanism 430.

The type of nut .element described heretofore has had a depending skirt .or flange within which a substantially axially extending skirt or flange on a washer has been fitted, the nut elements and washers being maintained in telescoped assembled relation by means of protuberances on either the nut element or washer skirt or flange. My apparatus is adapted also to assemble nut elements and washers wherein each washer is provided with a sub stantially conical flange or skirt, and a depending skirt on each nut element fits inside the washer skirt to secure the washer and nut element in assembled relation. The modification of my apparatus for operating upon such washers and nut elements is shown in Figs. 27-30.

In this modification, certain of the parts are identical with those disclosed heretofore and identical identifying numerals are used. Additionally, certain of the identical parts which are not essential to an understanding of the modification have been ommitted from the drawings for clarity of illustration. The parts which are identical with those shown heretofore include the main mounting or supporting plate 238, the upstanding stationary shaft 316, the worm wheel 326 thereon engaging the worm 424 on the shaft 416, the cam 334 and sleeve 336 connected to the worm wheel 326 for rotation therewith, the feeding disc 344, the ratchet wheel 342, the sleeve 338, and retaining ring 352. A cam 562 is mounted on the upper end of the shaft 316 and is fixed to the sleeve 336 by suitable means, such as a tooth and slot connection so that the cam will be driven by the sleeve in synchronism with the cam 334 and hence in timed relation with the driving or advancing disc 344. The cam is held down upon the shaft 316 by an oil filler plug 540 similar to that used in securing the bevel gear 524 in position. The oil filler plug bears against a washer 564 and it is contemplated that a cap screw might be used rather than the oil filler plug.

A bracket 566 is secured to the plate 238 by any suitable means, such as bolts 568 passing through the lower wall 570 of the bracket and threaded into the plate 238. The upstanding portion 572 of the bracket supports upper and lower transverse arms 574 and 576. These arms are provided with aligned sleeve bearings 578 and 580 in which a push rod 582 is mounted. Lateral studs 5.84 on a central block 586 of the push rod fit within slots 588 in a slotted lever arm 590 which is pivoted at 592 on an upstanding lug or car 594 on the lower transverse plate 576. A coil spring 596 is compressed between the outer end of the lever 590 and the lower transverse plate 576, there being suitable bores provided in the plate and in the lever to receive the extremities of the spring. A plug 598 fits within the plate 574 and carries the bearing 578 in order that there may be a suflicient aperture in the plate 574 to allow the studs or lugs 584 and block 586 of the push rod 582 to pass through this plate. The inner end of the lever 590 is provided with a cam follower in the form of a threaded rod 600 having a rounded nose bearing against the cam surface 602 of the cam 562. A jam nut 604 is provided to lock the cam follower 600 in any desirable adjusted position.

The supporting plate 246 is provided with a depending cylinder 606 which is aligned with the push rod 582. The cylinder 606 is provided with an elongated anvil 608 having a circumferential flange 610 bearing against the bottom of the cylinder 606 and preventing movement of the anvil downwardly. A retractable cylindrical block 612 is carried within the cylinder 606 and an aligned aperture in the plate 246. A coil spring .614 encircles the anvil 608 and is compressed between the flange 610 and the retractable block 612 to force the block upwardly. The upper end .or head 616 of the retractable block 612 is of reduced 1 diameter and fits in an aperture in the bearing plate 280, the shoulder 618 between the head and the remainder of the block limiting upward movement thereof. Under normal quiescent conditions the top of the head 616 is level with the top surface of the bearing plate 280. The upper end or tip 620 of the anvil likewise is ona level with or below the top surface of the bearing plate 280, and is substantially cylindrical in configuration and has a beveled upper edge to insure proper entry of the anvil into a nut element. A frusto-conical shoulder 618 lies between the tip 620 and the remainder of the anvil 608.

Each partially assembled washer and nut element unit comes to rest in alignment with the push rod 582 and anvil 608 as the disc 344 stops between movements, as shown in Fig. 27. The cam 562 then pivots the lever 590 to force the push rod 582 down against the top surface .of a nut element 108d as shown in Fig. 29. This forces the retractable block 612 down against the action of coil spring 614. The tip 620 of the anvil 608 pilots the nut element relative to the anvil and the frusto-conical shoulder 618 engages the depending central skirt 622 of nut element 108d and swages the skirt outwardly to overlap the conical flange or skirt 624 of washer 262d. Continued rotation of cam 562 allows spring 596 to pivot lever 590 clockwise as shown in Fig. 27 to remove the push rod 582 from the top of the nut element. This allows the spring 614 to raise the retractable block 612 to return the assembled washer and nut elementrto the level of the top face of bearing plate 280 so that further rotation of the driving or advancing disc 344 may move the assembled unit to a discharge station. Such discharge station is not shown but may include a relieved portion of bearing plate 246 as in the earlier modification and further may include a leaf spring to deflect assembled units from the advancing disc 344.

Modification including tapping of nut elements The modification of my apparatus for tapping the nut elements after selection and prior to assembly with washers is shown in Figs. 31-34 and 42. For convenience of reference, and brevity of explanation, those parts which are identical with those disclosed heretofore are identified by the same numerals as used heretofore while those parts which are similar to or analogous to parts heretofore disclosed are identified by the same numerals with the addition of the subscript c.

As shown in general in Fig. 31, the modified assembly machine includes a base or pedestal 626 having an upstanding portion 628 on which is mounted a table 630. A nut hopper 50 is supported by a bracket 52 and is driven by a motor 106 acting through the gears in a gearbox 84. Nut elements are fed from the hopper 50 through a nut feeding chute 54a as disclosed heretofore to a nut selector 56a (this being the modification shown in Fig. 9 for delivering nuts with their countersunk faces up) supported by a bracket 58 on the table 630. The nut selector 56a is driven by an electric motor 172 supported by a bracket 174 mounted on the table 630, there being a belt extending between pulleys on the motor and on the nut selector. Properly oriented nuts pass through the feed chute 60a while those which are inverted pass through a discharge chute 62 to a receptacle (not shown).

The nut feeding chute 60a, at its lower end, feeds into a tapping head 632 (see also Fig. 32). The nut feeding chute 60a is vertical adjacent the tapping head 632 and the bottom end of the chute is flat as at 634 so that nut elements will lie against the flat bottom under the influence of gravity. A mounting plate 636 is secured by any suitable means in an upstanding flange 638 of an upstanding portion 640 of the pedestal-626. A supporting member 642 extends outwardly from the plate 636.

A retaining ring 644 is secured by the supporting memher 642 and a tapping head gear 646 (see also Fig. 42) is journaled in the retaining ring by means of a ball bearing 648. A front distributing ring 650 is threaded on to a 

